Door mechanism



-Oct. 15, 1940. N. F. ANDERSON DOOR MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 15, 1940. N. ANDERSON 2,217,852

DOOR MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qct. l5, 1940.

N. F. ANDERSON DOOR MECHANIS M 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 16, 1938 czerao'n Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNYITED STATES PATENT OFFICE; l ,I I I 2,217,852 7 r DOORMECHANISM Nelson F. Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif Application June 16, 1938, -.Serial No. 214,165 Y 1 "5 owns. (01.4349) This invention relates to a door mechanism, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of this kind which normally maintains the closure member in open'position and wherein is comprised means for automatically releasing said member to permit the same to move into closed position.

Considerable loss is suffered daily as a result of the picking up and takingaway by unauthorized persons of' various articles within the home, the

store or 'the like; "It is another object of theinvention to provide means whereby egress from'a room is automatically closed upon unauthorized lifting or displacement of an article within such 2 room.

\ ment of the several parts of my improved door mechanism whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device renderedsimpl'er, less expensive and otherwise more convenientan-d advantageous for use, as will be herein? after more fully'set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, Iwill now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying draw ing s, wherein: p v

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly inelevation and of a diagrammatic character illustrating a mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view takensubstantially on the line 2--2 of Figure .1;

Figure '3 is 'a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; v

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on theline 4- 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary. detailed sectional view taken substantially ure 1; v

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on-the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

QFigure 7 is an enlarged view partly insection on the line 5-5 of-Figand partly, in elevation illustrating in detail the construction and mounting of the article control lever and parts directly associated therewith, certain of the parts beingindicated by broken lines in a second-position; I I "Figure 8 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 8-B=of Figure 1';

Figure 9" is a 'view substantially the same as Figure 8 but'sh'owing the holding member'in working position; v i

Figurel'O is a fragmentary sectional view taken Y substantially'on the line l'0l0 of Figure 12" Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line l'll-"l of Figure 1.

' As disclosedintheaccompanying"drawings; R i

denotes a room or chamber of any desired dimensions and'which may be comprised in any type of building structure. This room R, as illustrated Figure 1-, has anentran-ce opening A. While A In the present-embodimentof my invention the opening A constitutes a door --opening with which is adapted tobe employed a conventional door .D. The Jambs I, of the casing'for the opening A at, substantially their transverse centers are provided with the slots 2 herein disclosed as extendingvfrom top to s-bot'toml'of the casingand within the wall structure W and spaced rearwardly from each of the jam-bs I is a vertically disposed strip 3-. 1 To each of these'strips'3 are suitably afiixed the guideways 4 with which slidably engage the vertical marginal portions'of a 010- sure member 0. These guideways 4 also extend a considerable distance up above. the door opening A and the header structure 5' for the opening A'is so constructed as to permit the closure member C to be raised entirely above the opening A. This closure member C may be of any construction preferred, it only being required that it be of a material which cannot be easily destroyed because this closure member C when in its H lowered ,or closed position providesan effective a person within plates or strips 6 when in position to underlie and hold up the closure member C also serve to effectively close the portion of the slots 2 below the crown or header structure 5. When the plates 6 are swung to allow the closure member C to move into closed position, said plates swing inwardly of said slots.

The upper end portions of the shafts I are provided with the suitably directed rock arms 8 which are pivotally connected, as at 9, with a rigid arm I0. Connected, as at I I, to the arm III is a retractile spring I2 which is also suitably secured, as at I 4, to a suitable part of the wall 3 structure W. This spring I2 serves to normally maintain the plates 6 in a position to close the slots 2 and, of course, in their position when underlying the closure member C. 5 In the present embodiment of my invention the arm I 0 has coupled thereto, as at I 5, a flexible member I6 which is' disposed over anddepends from a suit-ably positioned guide pulley I I. This member I6 has its extremity remote from the arm I0 connected, as at I8, to a weighted member, I9. This member I9 is engaged with a suitably supported and arranged tnackway 20. This trackway 20 isvertically disposed and arranged within the wall structure. As disclosed in the accompany-- ing drawings, this weighted member I9 is normal- 1y maintained in its raised position by a latch 2! This latch 2I is adapted to be retracted andreleased from the weighted member I9 uponenergizing the associated electro-magnet 22, as will hereinafter be more particularly referred to.

The weighted member I9 in its fall imposes sufiicient pull upon the arm ID to rock the shafts I in adirection to move the plates 6 inwardly of the slots 2 and free of the closure member C whereupon said closure member C will substantially instantaneously 'drop into closed position. Suitably supported by the wall structure or otherwise as preferred, is a nozzle 23. This nozzle 23 is so constructed and arranged as to direct jets of water in such directions as to strike a person who may be outside of the room or chamber R but approaching and in relatively close proximity to the door opening A to give warning that the closure member C is about to drop. This nozzle 23 is in communication through a pipe line 24 with a suitable source of water supply. Interposed in this pipe line 24 is 'a normally closed valve structure 25 includingan'operating member 26 of a rocking type. When the valve structure 25 is closed this operating member 24 intersects the path of travel of anloutstanding part ZIcarried by the weighted mem.- ber I9. This outstanding part 21 upon the initial dropping of the weighted member I9 strikes the member 26 from above and swings said member 26 sufiiciently to open the valve structure 25 to allow the discharge of the water jets out from the nozzle 23. This coaction between the weighted member I9 and the operating member 26 of the valve structure momentarily retards the continued dropping of the Weighted member I9 and such coaction also occurs and is completed before the weighted member I9 has dropped sufiiciently to impose pull upon the arrn I 0. While the elapsing time between theopening of the valve structure and the continuing downward travel of the weighted member' I9 is comparatively short, yet there is a sufiicient elapse of time to permit the water jets discharged from the nozzle to give warning to a personoutside'of the room or chamber approaching the door opening Athat the closure member C is about'to fall.

The particular advantage of employing a water jet as a warning medium is due to the fact that upon an unexpected discharge of water upon a person the natural tendency of the person is to jump backward.

In the accompanying drawings the room -or chamber R is shown as having therein a suitably positioned shelf 28 upon which desired articles are adapted to be placed either for display, or storage, or as otherwise may be desired. While in the accompanying drawings a shelf is illustrated it is to be understood'that I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in this particular respect as my, improved mechanism is equally eflicient if employed with various kinds of supporting mediums, it only being required thatthe supporting means be such that an article 29 placed thereon or supported thereby maintains ineffective a release lever 30.

As herein disclosed the release lever 30 comprises an elongated member provided at its outer extremity with an angularly disposed extension or arm 3| provided at its outer end with a head 32 flattened to conform to the upper surface of the shelf 28. It is to be understood, however, that this head 32 is to be otherwise shaped in accordance with the supporting element with which it may cooperate.

The lever30 is slidably engaged with an upstanding arm 33 of a bell crank lever 34. The lever 30 is held in desired selective adjustment with respect to'the arm 33 by a binding screw 35or the like. The bell crank lever 34 has its heel portion pivotally supported, as at 36,and the outer extremity of the second arm 31 of the bell crank lever 34 has pivotally connected therewith, as at 38, a latch arm 39. The pivoted portion 40 of this latch arm 39 is weighted so that the same normally swings downwardly but the extent of such downward swinging movement is limited by contact of the tail portion of the arm 39 with a suitably disposed stop 4|.

Suitably supported adjacent to the latch arm 39 is a vertically disposed guideway 42 herein disclosed as of a material conductive of electricity and with which slidably engages a'contact member 43. The upper portion of this contact member 43 is provided with a lip 44 which, upon upward movement of the contact member 43, will readily pass the latch arm'39. The lip 44 then engages from above the latch arm 39 to suspend the contact member 43 in its raised position until released.

An article placed upon the shelf 28 and contacting with the head 32 of the lever 30 serves to hold the contact member 43 in its raisedposition but upon lifting of the article 29'the resultant overbalance at the latch arm end of'the bell crank lever 34 will result in the latch arm 39 swinging downwardly sufliciently to allow re-,

lease of the contact member 43. This contact member 43 upon release will drop down and engage a second'contact 45 suitably positioned and arranged. This contact 43 has leading therefrom a leg or for the operating circuit for the electromagnet 22. The electro-magnet 22 is grounded through the leg I) while the guide member 42 is grounded through the leg 0. Therefore, upon engagement of the contact member 43 with the contact member 45 the electro-magnet 22 will be energized retracting the latch 2I and permitting the weighted member I9 to drop.

' During such times as it may be desired to make the mechanism ineffective, as for example during workinghours or at the time the room or chamamass: Y

ber R is under'proper surveillance, a holding rod 46 is caused :to engage under the arm 31 of the bell crank lever 34 whereby said arm is effectively held against downward swinging movement which otherwise would result'ln the release of the contact member 43. This rod 46 is so positioned that after it has been moved to underlie the arm '3] said arm 31'! will havelimited downward movement :to rest from above and engage within the holding recess 41 provided in the rod 46. Thisslight downward movement of theiarm 3] results an upward projection .0f

the arm 3]. H U

This holding rod 4.6, as herein disclosed, is slidably supported by a-suitably positioned bracket 48 and said rod 46 is constantly urged outwardly or in ineffective position by an expansible member 49, herein disclosed as a coil spring, surrounding the rod 46 and interposed between a leg of the bracket -48Eand azsuitablyipositioned stop 50 carried by the rod 48. This .stop 50 is of a length or formation .to engage within an elongated slot 5| provided in the bracket 48. This is of importance as this assures the holding notch 41 at all times being maintained in proper position with respect to the arm .31 of the bell crank lever 34.

' Upon the placing of an article 29 upon the shelf 28 and, of course, also on the head 32, the resultant downward movement of the lever 30 will raise the arm 31 of the bell crank lever 34 sufficiently' to release the rod 45 whereupon said rod 46 under the action of the expansible member or spring 49 will instantaneously shift into ineffective position.

When an authorized person wishes to remove an article 29 and, of course, to prevent functioning of the mechanism for the closure member C, such person before removing th article pushes the rod 46 inwardly so that it will be disposed below the arm 31 to prevent the same swinging downwardly upon removal of the article 29 to release the contact'member 43.

When the closure member C is in its proper closed position it is held therein, as herein, disclosed, by the latch bolt 52 positioned within the wall structure and which engages from above an outstanding lug 53 when the closure member C is in its closed position.

The closure member 0 is eifectively held against opening movement until the bolt 52 is disengaged from the lug 53. As illustrated in Figure 11, this bolt 52 extends exteriorly of the wall structure W to provide a convenient means for retracting the same. a

While not illustrated it is to be stated that if desired a suitable alarm may be provided which will operate upon closing of the closure member C.

In view of the foregoing it is believed to be: clearly apparent that normally the closure member C is hidden and it is also believed to be understood that a portion of the mechanism is concealed within the wall and it is to be furtherv stated that the lever 30 and the parts directly associated therewith are also adapted to be concealed. However, as this concealment forms no part of the present invention and may be accomplished in any way, it is not believed necessary that a detailed description and illustration be given except to state that suitable provision will be made, as for example removable panels to permit access to those parts which initially have to be manually set.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a door mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility witli whichit may be assembled and operated, and it'will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutrdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof'and 'ifor this'reason'I do not wish to be understood 'as limiting nyself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed? Iclaim:

to allow the closure member to drop-to closed position, said releasing means including apart associated with the article supporting member for maintaining-said releasing means ineffective under theweight of the article supported'bysaid member and allowing said releasing means to become effective upon liftingthe article "supported-by the member. Y

,2. In oombinationwith a wallhavi'ng'an opening, a closure member for the opening, means for mounting theclosurememberior vertical movement, said member moving upwardly to open position and droppin'g'in-toclosedposition, vertically disposed shafts at each side-of the opening, means for supporting said shafts for rocking movement, plates carried by the shafts to underlie the closure member when raised to hold the same in such position, an arm operatively connected with the shafts to rock said shafts in unison to swing the plates from beneath the closure member to allow the closure member to drop, means coacting with the arm for constantly urging the same in a direction to maintain the plates below the closure member when raised, a weighted member, means for mounting the weighted memberfor movement in a vertical direction, releasable means for holding the weighted member raised, a suitably guided flexible connection between the weighted member and the arm, and means for releasing the weighted member to impose pull upon the arm to rotate the shafts in a. direction to swing the plates from under the'raised closure member to permit said closure, member to drop.

3. In combination-with awall structure having an opening, a vertically slidable closure member forsaid opening, said closure member raising into open position, a movable member engaging under the closure member when raised to hold the same from dropping, a weighted member, a latch for holding said weighted member in raised position, an operative connection between the weighted member and the movable member to provide means to shift said movable member from below the closure member upon dropping of the weighted memberto permit the closure member to drop into closed position, an

electromagnet for retracting the latch to permit the weighted member to drop, an operating circuit for the magnet, a circuit closer interposed in the circuit comprising two contact members one being movable with respect to' the other, a

. a R 0 1. In combination with a wall having an open ill able contact in its-separated position, said swinging member upon removal of the weight releasing the "movable contact for movement into engagement with the second contact;

4. In combination with a wall structure having an opening, a vertically slidable closure member for said opening, said closure member raising into open position, a movable member engaging under the closure member when raised to hold the same from dropping; a weighted member, a latch for holding said weighted member in raised position, an operative connection between the weighted member and the movable member to provide means toshiftvsaid movable member from below the closure member upon dropping of the weighted member to permit the closure member to drop into closed position, an electromagnet for retracting the latch to permit the weighted member to" drop, an operating circuit for the magnet, a circuit closer interposed in the circuit comprising two contact members one being movable with respect to the other, a swinging member engaging the movable contact to maintain the same in its separated position, said swinging member having a part upon which a weight isvto be placed to maintain the movable contact inits separated position, said swinging member upon removal of the weight releasing the movable contact for movement'into engagement withthe second contact, and releasable means for holding the swinging member against movementgwhen the weight is removed.

5-. In combinationwith agwall having anopen ing, a sliding closure member for said opening,

means for. normally maintaining said closure member inopenposition, means for releasing said holding means toallow the closure member to move into closed position including a weighted member, a latch for normally holding the weighted member in raised position, an electromagnet .for retracting .the'latch to allow the weighted member'to drop-to make the releasing means .efiective, anarticle supporting shelf, an

operating circuit forvthe electromagnet, a switch when'engaged with the. movable contact, release of the weight on the part of the lever permitting the bell crank lever to swing in a direction to permit the movable contact to move into engagement with the second contact.

NELSON F. ANDERSON. 

